I've got a lot of questions, and need some experienced opinions

[Hughinn]

Hey everyone, I'm new here, but been lurking for awhile.

I've learned that this stuff is specific to an individual as far as type, use and therapy by reading these boards. I haven't seen anyone like me here, so I'm posting this hoping for some input.

I've never used any gear before. I've worked out and lifted off and on all of my life. I'm 43 years old, work a physical job, and was a wrestling champion in high school.

I'm 5-11 and currently about 230lbs. About 60" around the shoulders. Biceps about 17 or so inches. Maybe a little more.

Got a bigger waistline than I want. About a 38 or so.

I'm stronger and more durable than all of the younger guys I know. But I really want to cut some body fat without going into my muscle mass.

Last time I cut down to 205 or so, I lost some muscle, and kept some darn love handles. Nothing would starve em off. I just lost muscle mass, and they stayed.

I've been wondering if a cycle or two of the right type would help me get cut decent, without losing so much muscle mass? Because I'm getting older, and its harder to put it back on.

I've known alot of guys who've used gear, and I've seen it work. I've never used it myself, so I don't know where to start, or if it'd even work in my situation.

So I came to ask

[Charlie67]

Welcome!

If you re-post in the other sections, you'll get more traction on your specific questions then here in the "introduction" section. As a guy with a few years on you, I totally get what you're saying.

Best of luck in your journey,
C-

[SampsonandDelilah]

Hey boss,

Unfortunately for us older guys the “love handles” can become difficult to overcome and things like genetics begin to play a critical role. It’s hard to broad brush it, but I’ll try. Obviously nutrition, caloric intake and micronutrients are essential.

That aside, yes gear can help you hold muscle while going into a calorie deficit. The idea would be to build muscle and burn fat at the same time and is probably the most common question asked on these boards.

Testosterone has to be the base for any cycle and is recommended for anyone dipping their toes into anabolic steroids. There are compounds that are better utilized for bulking or cutting but regardless diet and exercise are paramount.

You also need to think about recovery as being in your 40’s it can be more difficult for the body to recover its own production abilities after receiving exogenous testosterone. PCT is so crucial or considering going on a TRT/HRT protocol at completion of the cycle. Google “blast and cruise”.

Your goals are attainable and yes, testosterone (and other compounds) will help you hold that muscle while you’re in a deficit. Calories on working and in working days become important as well as things like “carb cycling”. Those will be the things that separate good from great.

I for one become a much for efficient fat burner as I build muscle and maintain my metabolism, continually feeding it through the course of the day and going surplus on lifting days. On resting days, I lower my intake and monitor my carbs. I also nutrient time and don’t eat carbs late in the evening and try to get rapid absorption post work out.

It’s about finding what works for your body and understanding how important genetics are as well. What works for me, may or may not work for you.

To put it succinctly, yes running some gear will help you hold muscle while depleting fat storage. You don’t want to blow up and deflate though when you come off and have to be careful not to get fatter while eating in an abundance while on.

Hopefully that gets the conversation started for you...

[Hughinn]

Hey boss,

Unfortunately for us older guys the “love handles” can become difficult to overcome and things like genetics begin to play a critical role. It’s hard to broad brush it, but I’ll try. Obviously nutrition, caloric intake and micronutrients are essential.

That aside, yes gear can help you hold muscle while going into a calorie deficit. The idea would be to build muscle and burn fat at the same time and is probably the most common question asked on these boards.

Testosterone has to be the base for any cycle and is recommended for anyone dipping their toes into anabolic steroids. There are compounds that are better utilized for bulking or cutting but regardless diet and exercise are paramount.

You also need to think about recovery as being in your 40’s it can be more difficult for the body to recover its own production abilities after receiving exogenous testosterone. PCT is so crucial or considering going on a TRT/HRT protocol at completion of the cycle. Google “blast and cruise”.

Your goals are attainable and yes, testosterone (and other compounds) will help you hold that muscle while you’re in a deficit. Calories on working and in working days become important as well as things like “carb cycling”. Those will be the things that separate good from great.

I for one become a much for efficient fat burner as I build muscle and maintain my metabolism, continually feeding it through the course of the day and going surplus on lifting days. On resting days, I lower my intake and monitor my carbs. I also nutrient time and don’t eat carbs late in the evening and try to get rapid absorption post work out.

It’s about finding what works for your body and understanding how important genetics are as well. What works for me, may or may not work for you.

To put it succinctly, yes running some gear will help you hold muscle while depleting fat storage. You don’t want to blow up and deflate though when you come off and have to be careful not to get fatter while eating in an abundance while on.

Hopefully that gets the conversation started for you...

Thank you for the advice. Exactly what I needed.

I do have a few questions. Carbs, I've had a lot of success cutting carbs in the past. But since I seen the over 40, cutting carbs zaps my energy like never before. Plus, cutting carbs means eating more fat, since you need an alternative source of energy. Cholesterol and heart doctor lectures begin. Question : will the the right gear enable me to cut, while still getting a minimal amount of carbs? It's always been all or nothing before, but on a macro level, will gear help use say 30-50% macro carbs and still lose fat?. Or is a cycle of say 65% on high activity and maybe 25% on recovery better? Or do I just need to experiment?

Second, post cycle therapy: I've seen Lots of guys say its just as important as the cycle for us older guys. And it makes sense. But I've never seen it explained. Is this a slow taper down of test while your body catches back up?

Man I appreciate your input. I've done this all before, but never with gear. So I'm trying to understand what might be different. When I was younger I could cut easily with carbs, then ease them back in and keep a good body fat ratio and still minimize any losses and stay strong. Now when i cut carbs, my body goes flat, I feel weak and eventually lose muscle and fat. But I haven't wrestled in years, and I don't have to cut or make weight anymore.

I just want to be leaner without losing the upper body I worked so hard to build. Plus, my libido is down from where I want it to be.

Thanks again

[Charlie67]

Carbs, I've had a lot of success cutting carbs in the past. But since I seen the over 40, cutting carbs zaps my energy like never before. Plus, cutting carbs means eating more fat, since you need an alternative source of energy. Cholesterol and heart doctor lectures begin. Question : will the the right gear enable me to cut, while still getting a minimal amount of carbs? It's always been all or nothing before, but on a macro level, will gear help use say 30-50% macro carbs and still lose fat?. Or is a cycle of say 65% on high activity and maybe 25% on recovery better? Or do I just need to experiment?

I'm 48, and don't know jack but from my experience... You're right, lower carbs can zap a little energy but I got used to it pretty quick. Now, for years, carb's rarely go above 40%, ever, for me. But yes, I can drop weight on 40% Carbs with very little cardio (I HATE cardio) at about 3000 calories. When I get down to 2600 calories with my macros at around 30C/30F/40P, I can lose still lose with a bit of cardio. If I drop lower I have to start dropping carbs or doing more cardio, but making it up with fats and protein isn't a problem because total calories are so low the fat wont be an health issue. That's how it is for me anyway.

Second, post cycle therapy: I've seen Lots of guys say its just as important as the cycle for us older guys. And it makes sense. But I've never seen it explained. Is this a slow taper down of test while your body catches back up?

Yeah, mostly... When you're adding Test to your body, your natural production will stop. PCT, and the drugs used, help kick-start your natural test levels. This post is a little old, and some around here disagree with bits of it, but its a great primer and does well at describing PCT: https://forums.steroid.com/anabolic-...rst-cycle.html

When I was younger I could cut easily with carbs, then ease them back in and keep a good body fat ratio and still minimize any losses and stay strong.

Us too . When I was in my 20's we'd hit the gym for marathon sessions and then do our post-workout meal at Pizza Hut all you can eat buffet.... and I grew anyway. Those were the days. Things are a little harder nowadays, but still I'm still chugging along.

Best of luck,
C-

[SampsonandDelilah]

Charlie nailed it and you touched on it...going to have to experiment.

I like my carbs high on heavy push/pull days. I keep them low on a cardio day or a rest day.

We absolutely need carbs/glycogen to grow muscles but we all respond differently to the insulin response that also occurs. I try to limit my carbs to early morning and lunch and taper down into the evening or at least choose carbs with a better glycemic index

[brazey]

welcome...

[FlowBlower]

I'm just a new guy here. I'm gonna throw another perspective in, hope it helps.

Everything in Sampson's post is dead on.

IMO, I think you can do this without the gear. You've made it to 43 without it. As stated above - suppression/recovery is gonna hit harder now than in your 20's (this may be something you might find undesirable), and HRT is right around the corner.

At 5'11" 230lbs w/ 38 waist --- I would guess your between 28% - 33% body fat (again, just a guess). If you cut off 10% BF - you'll be very happy /lookin' good -(you could go lower from there if you like). This is attainable (even over 40), with a meticulous disciplined diet & training regimen. Strict discipline is the key.
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This is my current bias opinion - but look into a SARMS & Peptides

These are a lighter approach to AAS. Lighter as in little to no suppression, also, lighter results as well.**some sarms will suppress you** These are great for someone 40+, with reasonably achievable goals, or someone like myself - that cant use AAS anymore.
Reasearch: GW501516(cardarine), AOD9604, SR9009, Ostarine. *All no supression, TMK* **I cant speak from experience just yet** Gimme a few months
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ALWAYS get blood work done. even more crucial in older age. Find out if you have high cholesterol, low T, higher than average estrogen, low GH, or something that may prompt you to NOT use AAS. I can tell you horror stories. You may spot a red flag, & find out you can solve a specific hormonal problem with a specific product. Example: you find out you have low GH. Maybe a HGH product (CJC-1295, IPAM) would be a better solution for love handles & excess fat, than lets say traditional AAS approach (which can be tricky at high BF%s).


If your going to go the Cycle route..
Choose the right Test hormone.
Proper PCT. --- So important.
Get bloods before n after n 6 months down the road.
A cycle will do nothing without perfect nutrition & training (be perfect).
Ive had amazing results off just Test/winnie cycle. again, AMAZING.

Diet:
Your right. the older we get, cutting carbs ZAPS energy. When I was overweight, I pulled off 35lbs with a strict keto diet in a 3 month period, with little to NO muscle loss.
If you do keto for fat loss - youll feel "zapped" for a week or so, but, then you will regain your strength as good as before, while continuing to shedding fat.

"Strict keto", is not great for weight training.

For weight training: CKD (Cyclical Ketogenic diet) or carb cycling, for cut cycles & recomps. I currently have 3 CKD protocols I will be dialing in for the next 3/6 months
Do your best to nutrition time.

IMO if you have a lot of fat to shed - its worth cutting fat only, with no emphasis on muscle or strength, until a reasonable BF% is achieved --20% to 22%. Then switch to recomp or muscle building/ strength training. This is a way more efficient approach than to try to recomp at a high BF%.

Keto only - good for fat loss
CKD - better for recomp
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These are all just my babbling opinions. I could be wrong.

[SampsonandDelilah]

Very well said and written ^^^^^^

[The Deadlifting Dog]

First thing you should do IMO is to really figure out what your bodyfat is.



Use these pictures as a guide.

Then some simple math could tell you how much fat you need to lose.

A low dose test cycle WITH diet and exercise could help you shed fat and possibly gain a little muscle.

[Testie]

Welcome!

[Hughinn]

First thing you should do IMO is to really figure out what your bodyfat is.



Use these pictures as a guide.

Then some simple math could tell you how much fat you need to lose.

A low dose test cycle WITH diet and exercise could help you shed fat and possibly gain a little muscle.

I'm guessing my body fat is around the 25-29 range based on the pictures.

But my body fat is deceiving because my shoulders hide alot of it. My waist is a 38, but nobody would guess it that big. I could be in the low thirties, ill try to post a pic.

[Hughinn]

Like i said, I think


I think I'm about in the 25-29% range based on the pics. But it may be higher. My waist in that pic is a 38. My build hides it.

But I weigh 244 in that picture. Wearing nothing but shorts